Inside the June-July Issue:
*Page 1*
Newsletter
Future Fun Stuff
Cool Links
Gabrielle's Grab Bag
Page 2
Book Review
Poetry Corner
Math Challenge
Fifteen boys from my scout troop packed up the trailer, and we arrived in Resica Falls just before dark. The first night of the trip we pitched our tents at a base camp. Then in the morning we packed our tents and started hiking. We hiked along the road for a bit, then took a side trail to see some rapids. After some more hiking, we found the trail that we planned on taking. We hiked through woods and meadows until lunch time. We cooked our lunches on the small backpacking stoves. I ate a delicious meal of spicy cous-cous with lentils and tomatoes. Since the meals have to be very light, I carried dehydrated food. I put the meals together at home, then all I had to do was add hot water and it was ready to eat!
We started hiking again after our lunch break and then discovered that we had passed where our trail had turned off. We backtracked and found that the trail had been completely overgrown! We had to go through anyway. After hiking through weeds, across creeks, on roads and through a field, we finally reached our riverside campsite. We rested for awhile then explored the area without our packs. We climbed to the top of the tallest hill in the park, and we could see for miles! We hiked down to the river and walked along another overgrown trail.
When we got back to the campsite, we set up tents and cooked dinner. I had rice and beans, and my tent-mate cooked pop-corn for a snack. In the morning we packed up and hiked out to the road where the scout van picked us up. Overall, we hiked about 5 miles. It seemed like a longer distance, but this is the first time we've hiked carrying all of our gear. We are practicing and working up to going on a week-long backpacking trip. The weather had been nice and cool all weekend, which was perfect for backpacking. We arrived home tired, but happy.
On the day of the show I was waiting backstage for my turn to dance. I was listening to all the Christmas music. The costume for my class included a very shiny, silver shirt with a matching silver hat. We felt like disco balls! Finally my class had its turn! I went out and danced and had a great time. At the end of the first show, it was time for the finale. Boy, was it crazy and packed back stage! While I was backstage, my name was called to go out on stage, but I didn't even know what I was going out for! I was called out with others who had been helpers in some of the classes for younger students. We each received a yellow rose.
After the first show finished, I sat in the audience and watched the second show. Gabrielle's ballet class was in it dancing to "Fum! Fum! Fum!," an old Catalan carol. Watching the recital, I could tell that everyone worked very hard and learned alot this year! One of my favorite songs was a goofy song called, "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." We have been singing that song around the house for weeks now! Gabrielle and I definitely had a great time.
On July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence, which Thomas Jefferson had written back in June, was formally approved by 12 of the 13 colonies. (The New York delegation did not vote, but approved the Declaration 5 days later.)
This day is considered the birthday of our nation - Happy 230th Birthday!!
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In 1826, on the 50th Birthday of our country, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died within hours of each other. These two signers of the Declaration of Independence were the 2nd and 3rd Presidents of our nation. They often disagreed, but they respected each other. Even though Thomas Jefferson was 7 years younger, Adams often proclaimed that he would outlive Jefferson. Unaware of Jefferson's illness, John Adam's last words on his deathbed were, "Thomas Jefferson survives." but the messenger from Thomas Jefferson's home had already been dispatched. Adams did, in fact, outlive Jefferson by a few hours!!
Our 5th President, James Monroe, also died on July 4th in 1831!
This holiday is known as the "star festival" in Japan and is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month. (In some areas of Japan where they use a lunar calendar, the festival is in August.) You write your wishes on a slip of paper and hang them from a bamboo tree (or any tree limb in your backyard) in hopes that the wishes come true.
Italy and France shoot it out for the World Cup Title in Berlin, Germany at 2PM E.S.T. Check your television guide for the local time of the game!
The perfect day to pack up some delicious summer treats and a blanket and take your favorite teddy bear for a picnic!
The French National Holiday, known as "Fete Nationale" remembers the "Fete de la Federation" in 1790. The "Fete de la Federation" was held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, the prison where people were jailed by order of the king. The Bastille had only 7 prisoners when it was stormed, but this provided a rallying point for the French peasants who became prepared for the revolution. The "Fete" in 1790 was a huge celebration of the new Constitutional Monarchy. The Constitutional Monarchy did not last long, but gave way to the first French Republic. The French celebrate with parades, dances and fireworks!
Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897. Amelia Earhart broke or set many flying records. She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and she was the first person to fly solo across the Pacific from Honolulu to Oakland, California. On June 1, 1937 she began her flight around the world. On July 2, 1937, she left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island. The last radio contact with her was at 8:45AM while she was searching for Howland Island. She was never heard from again. She was one of the most accomplished aviators of her time.
www.funattic.com/game_list.htm
Looking for something fun to do this summer? This site has lots of fun outdoor games and games for rainy days, too. Some are familiar and others will be fun new games to try.
I was in a dance recital this month. I did a ballet dance to "Fum! Fum! Fum!" Our costumes were beautiful. The bigger girls all said that they wanted a costume like it. I loved dancing on the stage, and I wanted to go back on stage as soon as I came off. I wasn't nervous even when I saw all the people in the audience.
Here are lots of pictures of me before, during and after my haircut.
